Graceland Candlelight Vigil

In the four decades since Elvis Presley died, John Lennon was shot to death. The Berlin Wall came down. Viagra was launched. New York’s Twin Fit for a King Towers tumbled. The Internet took over. We elected our first black president. Commemorating the 40th Anniversary We elected Donald Trump. The world has changed in a trillion ways, both small of Elvis’s Death and significant since 1977.

By Jill Gleeson | Photography courtesy of Graceland

54 DeSoto DeSoto 55 But one thing has remained the ETA (Elvis TRibute Artists) on Memphis’ Pyramid same: Elvis Presley is one of the planet’s most beloved entertainers. According to Forbes, The King sold more than one million albums last year, and Graceland remains the second-most visited home in the United States, behind the White House. The mansion where Elvis hung his hat still hosts 600,000 visitors a year, 20 percent of them from outside the U.S. Fans hail from countries including Germany, Australia, the Netherlands, Brazil and Canada. It’s a safe bet at least a few citizens from those nations will be making a pilgrimage to this year’s Elvis Week in Memphis, which will commemorate the 40th anniversary of his death in a revitalized neighborhood that bears little resemblance to the one Elvis knew. Thanks to a $137 million overhaul, the Graceland campus now offers two new showstopping additions. The Guest House at Graceland, a 450-room luxury resort debuted last October. “That property was designed by asking questions like ‘What would Elvis had done in 2016’ and ‘what is the Elvis aesthetic’,” said Gary Hahn, Vice President of Marketing for Elvis Presley Enterprises. The answer is a stunningly sleek, Candlelight Vigil 2015 masculine retreat that pays tribute to The King in subtle ways, like the lobby’s mirrored ceiling that is meant to recall Elvis’ beloved capes, and the “Burning Love” outdoor fire pit shaped like a heart. The hotel also boasts a bar, two restaurants, an outdoor pool and a theater. And then there’s Elvis Presley’s Memphis, which opened its doors in March. According to Hahn, the 200,000-square- foot entertainment complex is “five times as large as the original plaza across from the mansion that it replaced. Now we’re able to showcase the Graceland archives and tell his story in the way that we’ve always wanted.” To that end, there’s now a new car museum, Elvis Presley Motors, that’s double the size of the original. Smaller exhibits explore artists The King influenced, as well as his army career and the larger story of Memphis music. Elvis the Entertainer is what Hahn calls the complex’s centerpiece. “It’s our museum that takes you through Elvis’s entire career, using artifacts, gold records and his wardrobe,” said Hahn. “The other big anchor is the Graceland Soundstage, a 20,000-square-foot facility

56 DeSoto DeSoto 57 where we can host live events. That’s where the majority of Elvis Tribute Artist preliminary contest in Tupelo. “There are decades following The King’s death. That Elvis Week activities will take place.” Elvis fans, and there are people that don’t know they’re Elvis first contest, featuring 24 competitors,was Those events, which run August 11-19, include the fans yet. His music speaks to you – it’s true music. There’s an an enormous success, paving the way for it Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Contest, Conversations on Elvis Elvis song, I’m convinced, for everybody in this world. I believe to return every August during Elvis Week. panels, Elvis 101 and more. The Candlelight Vigil, as always, that 10 years from now it’ll be the 50th anniversary of his death While previous contests were mostly held will take place at the mansion on August 15, the night before and we’ll still be here, celebrating his life.” at The Orpheum Theater in downtown the anniversary of his death. Hahn expects some as many Memphis, 2017’s event will take place in the as 50,000 people at the Vigil, which can last until daybreak. Paying Tribute to a Legend new Graceland Soundstage. The following night, Elvis: Live in Concert, an extravaganza Make no mistake, the Ultimate Elvis Tribute Artist Among the countries to send featuring The King on the big screen, a visit from Priscilla Contest is a very big deal. This year, 20 winners from official contenders to the finals are Malta, Japan, and a full orchestra, will take over FedExForum in downtown preliminary rounds held around the world will converge in Brazil, Scotland, Canada, Germany and Memphis. Memphis during Elvis Week. They will compete in the semifinals Australia. Tupelo is a fierce competitor, on Thursday, August 17, with 10 competitors advancing to the supporting its winners with a “boot camp” to Tupelo’s Celebrations final round, which will be held on Saturday. The first place help them prepare. This year Cote Deonath Meanwhile, the Elvis Presley Birthplace in Tupelo winner, among other goodies, will receive $20,000. In 2017, for of Dunnellon, Florida, is representing will be marking the 40th anniversary of Elvis’ death in its own the first time ever, all the champs from previous years will play Tupelo in Memphis. A full-time Elvis tribute way. Friday, August 11, four Elvis Tribute Artists will perform one special night together, Friday, August 18. artist, Deonath, now 20, first stepped on in the theater, followed by Fan Appreciation Day on August 12. “These guys are incredibly talented performers,” stage at age five to perform as his hero and Tickets will be reduced from $17 to $10, all the attractions will said Hahn., “I defy anyone to go to a semifinal or final and not is a returnee to the competition. Last year, be open, and there will be food vendors on the property. be impressed with the level of artistry. And, of course, there’s he won a preliminary event in Tampa. “People can come, be a part of the program, have a live eight-to-10-piece band that backs them up and they’re “Going back now is kind of a lunch and then spend the day with us,” said Dick Guyton, wearing recreations of Elvis’ wardrobe.” dream,” Deonath said, “because I thought, executive director of the Elvis Presley Birthplace. “Elvis gave All the eras of Elvis are represented, according to ‘Man, I went to the Ultimate! That was back all the the time – we feel this is a way we can share that Hahn. cool, that’ll never happen again.’ And now and give back to the community and the fans.” “Somebody will sing “Suspicious Minds” from the I’m going back! It’s surreal. I’m not going Of course it’s not only The King’s famously generous ’70s in Vegas, and then someone else will come out who will be to lie – it’s a great feeling. I’m very proud to and humble nature, along with his unparalleled charisma, that more of a ’50s Elvis. It’s a lot of fun.” represent Tupelo.” so endear him to fans. Elvis Presley Enterprises kicked off the Ultimate Elvis “My philosophy is that there are two kinds of people Tribute Artist Contest in 2007 as a way to support and sanction in the world,” said Cote Deonath, who won the 2017 Ultimate the tribute shows and competitions that had been going on for

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